Hertfordshire councillors have granted over £2,000 to causes they believe were “worthwhile” in Watford.

Funding for Hertfordshire’s locality budget - which is spent on various projects across the county every year - increased in the 2020/21 financial year to specifically help after the impact of the pandemic.

As a result county councillors have been again given £15,000 this year to help fund projects they feel will promote the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of their local area.

Currently in Watford, just two groups have received a grant donation to help with local projects.

This includes The Grove Academy School, as councillor Stephen Cavinder awarded a grant of £780 to help with repair costs for the school’s gazebo.

The money will also help remove some internal benches and to create a reading area which has soft seating and aa space for a book trolley.

Cllr Cavinder said: “Reading is such an important skill particularly for children at KS1 & KS2 and so providing a quite space for children to read is an excellent use of the grant by The Grove Academy.

“I look forward to seeing the quiet area once it has been completed and to see the students enjoying reading in it.”

Meanwhile councillor Asif Khan awarded a grant of £1,500 to the Hand on Heart Charitable Trust, to help provide back to school backpacks and essential school supplies for children from low-income families.

Cllr Khan said: “Hand on Heart are inspiring families and individuals to get involved in voluntary work helping the most vulnerable in our society. The project is a great way to help young people, and I am more than happy to support them in their endeavours.”